Irene decides she's probably more lacking in heart than brain and decides to accept the title without squabbling. Despite that, she's surprised into a very real smile. "It gets worse by the second, the way you tell it."

When the mechanics of Baedal are brought more clearly into focus like this, she's never sure what to think. Somewhere, out there, are universes she's never going to see. It's terrifying, but above all it's tantalising, to know but never experience. "If only we could do daytrips," she muses. "I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours, that sort of thing."